Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Storm Tracker

I've lived in AZ for over fifteen years now.
I've weathered fifteen monsoon seasons. I've loved every single one.
And I've NEVER seen anything like yesterday.

First, a disclaimer from the administrator:  Blogger is being stubborn.  Anyone else having trouble uploading video?  Anyone else having trouble uploading portrait-oriented photos?  I'm bugged, Blogger.  Very bugged.  So, instead of actually having video here on my blog, you need to click the links below to youtube.  It was either that or deprive you of the storm.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

This was the front door view. Notice all the smelly cow manure covering the newly scalped and seeded lawn?
Every seed was washed away.
front yard

And here is what happened in the back.
back yard

Here's the aftermath:
This is our sidewalk. The water line was about 10-12 inches above the gutter.
We lost both of our arches--yanked straight out of the ground and blown around the yard.
Like the pool umbrella? That might have reached the point of no return.
And look at all the leaves in the pool. Officially, Mesa received 1.75 inches of rain yesterday--with half an inch in 30 minutes alone. I remember 2.73 inches being our official total for the YEAR one year. This is the desert, people! We don't know what to do with water!

I rode my bike around the neighborhood this morning, and I can't believe how many trees are down, retention basins brimming, debris in the street.
Lucky for us, it's clear today--time for a little football!  Go, Poston!
blog

24 comments:

  1. I'm in Calif.. and we have some light rain, nothing like what u went thru..Stay safe..

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  2. oh my

    looks like home. I HATED cleaning out the pool after a storm. HATED!

    So, were you digging the shoes in black or turquoise? I am all for the turquoise. It's going to be hard to justify, though, seeing as we will be in SNOW soon. and you?

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  3. It was AWESOME and totally wierd at the same time. Sunny bright, suddenly dark and pouring like I've never seen. And how bout that hail? LOVED it all. Thankfully we didn't see any damage at our house. PHEW!

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  4. Wow! And I thought we had a lot of rain! I do love a good storm though... :)

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  5. Todd really loved the "monsoon" season when he was living in Prescott. But that looks like it was quite the storm.

    And damage is never fun. Not ever.

    "/

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  6. Oh my goodness. Wow. Sent your happy mail on Monday...hopefully it will stay dry!

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  7. I raised my arms to the sky and cackled like the wicked witch when the storm hit yesterday. I just thought that was the appropriate response for the season. It was awesome! (...to use a ubiquitous word in an appropriate fashion)

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  8. It's so strange, we live in Peoria and got a drizzle. These storms are so unpredictable. Glad everyones ok.

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  9. I'm a native to AZ, and I agree, I've never seen one like yesterday. Jeffrey and I love to watch storms from my bedroom window (upstairs) this is the first time I've made him come away from the window, the tree was swaying a little too much for my comfort. I hope your damage isn't too hard to fix.

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  10. What a great job you did on those videos! One of my sons served his mission in Mesa and I know he will want to see this. We don't even get storms like that here in California.

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  11. It was quite impressive! I loved it:)

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  12. blogger hasn't been updating my sidebar so it looks like non of the ppl i follow have blogged in days...i'm behind...

    sorry about the arches and umbrella!

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  13. I think all of your "grass frosting" ended up in my yard. No one on our street or even near us has over seeded yet but my sidewalks and yard have manure and mulch on them. Freaky! I am secretly wishing for another one and a bit more powerful - at least enough to rip off my red roof so that I am forced to replace.

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  14. Wow!! I thought the monsoons were only in August. Oh, your beautiful yard... Hope your basement is dry and that all is well now.

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  15. That's bonkers- you must have had some crazy wind too. I hope it's a quick clean up, what a job.

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  16. That storm looks almost "hurricane-ish!"

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  17. Oh. Dear. Would be fun if I were five, though.

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  18. Oh how I miss those storms! I remember a few years back driving from Scottsdale to Mesa and having water half way up my car doors on about every street I turned down. You are right though. This is the desert and the water has no where to go! My sister told me that the 17 and the 10 were flooded. I can't wait to move back ;)

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  19. Wow. I wish I'd been there for this. I kind of like crazy weather. Sorry about the damage though. That is no bueno.

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  20. It's scary when nature goes wild! I watched your youtube and got an idea of the strength of the storm. I'm glad no one was hurt!

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  21. Crazy, crazy weather! Glad you survived!

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  22. wow..amazing videos!!! glad everyone was safe!!!

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  23. Oh my word!!! Stay safe girlie!

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